Two porcelain seal paste boxes


19th century and laterBoth of compressed spherical form, the first painted in yellow and dark brown enamels and carved to the exterior of the box and cover with blooming prunus branches and butterflies against a black enameled ground, the interiors and the recessed base covered in turquoise blue (small hairlines to rim); the second unglazed, sensitively carved to the top of the domed cover and to the exterior walls of the box with bees hovering around leafy branches bearing large lychees (chips).3 9/16 and 3 5/16in (9.1 and 8.5cm) diameter
|ProvenanceCollection of Brooks & Dorothy CofieldEnameled box: Retrospection Antiques, Portland, Oregon, acquired 18 June 2003Biscuit box: Warren E. Cox Collection, New YorkStevens Estate, Wilmington, DelawarePook & Pook Auction, Downingtown, Pennsylvania, acquired 2004